Please notify the site
owner if you have come to this site as a result of a paid
subscription to another site.

HISTORY...AND...
FINANCIAL RESOURCES...OF...
LOUISVILLE
NEBRASKA

WITH a brief sketch of
the lives of those who
have helped to make this
one of the thriftiest little
cities in the west.

Compiled and Published by The Louisville Weekly Courier,
Louisville, Nebraska. (c.1905)

[An effort has been made to reproduce this work in a way
that as closely approximates the original as possible. This includes
maintaining the spelling found in the original.]Louisville Table of Contents |

HISTORY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF LOUISVILLE NEBRASKA;
continued

JAMES M. HOOVER

MR. HOOVER was born in Dark county, Ohio, in 1854, near the
town of Greenville. Hecame west with his parents in 1863 and with
them settled in Nebraska. St. Joseph was at thattime the terminal of
the railroad in the west, so from there they took the boat up the
Missouririver landing at Plattsmouth, Nebraska. At that time
Plattsmouth was a place of but a fewscattered houses, and the county
was inhabited by a great many more Indians than Whites.Mr. Hoover's
father being a man of courage and pluck ventured up the Platte river
fourteenmiles and settled on a farm, where James was raised and grew
to manhood With theexception of one time Mr. Hoover has not been
absent form the state for a period longer thansix months, his one
trip out being through the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and
Colorado,but returned shortly perfectly satisfied with Nebraska. Mr.
Hoover has experienced manyinteresting things of early Nebraska, one
being the years of hoppers, 1873-6, when they tooktheir flight,
raising like a cloud and for a time shut out the light of the sun;
another has been theyears of drought, when farmers grew only enough
for their own use and in 1883 the crops ofEastern Cass were
completely destroyed by hail.

Mr. Hoover attended the schools of his district, afterwards the
High school at Plattsmouthwhere he completed his education. Mr.
Hoover is a plain practical man, and like his honoredfather, is
always to the front when there is any enterprise on hand that is for
public benefit; asmuch so as if it were for personal gain. Mr. Hoover
was married March 11, 1878 to MissAugusta Pankonin. This lady was
born July 20, 1855, and came to Nebraska in 1871. Whileenroute she
happened to be at Chicago when that city experienced her terrible
battle with theflames. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Hoover. They are Rosa, William, Ella,Laura and Hellen.

DR. MIKE TRITSCH

DR. M. TRITSCH was born January 23, 1873 on a farm near
Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Hisparents soon afterward moving on a farm
seven miles southwest of Louisville, where Mikespent his youthful
days working for his parents in season and attending school in the
winter.On attaining his majority he undertook farming for himself,
cultivating part of his father's land.This he did for three years, at
the same time studying watch repairing. At the end of threeyears he
had become so proficient that he decided to follow that business for
a lively hood. In1897 he removed to Louisville and went into that
business. In 1900 he took up the study ofoptics under the
instructions of Dr. Trenner, of Omaha. In 1901 he continued this
study withthe Northern Illinois College of Ophthalmology and Otology
from which institution hegraduated with high percent, and received
his diploma of Doctor of Optics. Mr. Tritsch hassince practiced his
profession with success and has a good trade in his lines.

Mr. Tritsch was married on December 18, 1895 to Miss Emma Hennings
who is adaughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Hennings, Cass county's most
substantial farmers. They have anice home here and enjoy the
friendship of all their acquaintances. Two daughter completetheir
happiness.

GEORGE FRATER

THE subject of this sketch first saw the light of day in Belmont
county, Ohio, February 20,1865. He remained with his parents until he
was twenty years old, working for them andattending school. At the
end of this time he went to Iowa, and there worked at farm duties
fortwo years. Farm life by this time had grown weary, so he selected
the drug business as hismeans of living in the city and at once
secured a position as clerk in one of the pharmacies atRemsen, Iowa,
remaining there two years. He then held a like position at Newell,
Iowa sixmonths, when he removed to Thurston, that state, where he
remained for six years.

He had now grown to manhood, and from his labors had saved enough
money to beginbusiness for himself, having acquired the right amount
of knowledge to carry it on successfully.He went to David City,
Nebraska, and purchased half interest of his brother, who was
theowner of a fine stock in that city, where he stayed for eighteen
months. Selling out his interestthere he went to Rising City, this
state, where he remained until he came to Louisvillle. In 1899he
purchased the drug stock of Dr. J.A. Hasemeier of this place, and
here he has sinceremained.

Mr. Frater has a neat building and a large and well selected
stock. He is a pleasantgentleman and his courteous ways holds his
trade up to the standard.

Mr. Frater was married on May 1, 1890 to Miss Birdie Jones, a
popular young lady ofThurman, Iowa that date being the 43rd
anniversary of his father's wedding. Three childrenhave been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Frater, of whom two are living.

C.A. RICHEY

CHARLES A. RICHEY was born May 6, 1872, at Afton, Union county, Iowa,
where hislived until 10 years of age, his parents then moving to
Plattsmouth, Nebraska. His fatherengaged in the lumber business in
that city and it was there that young Richey received hislearning
along this particular line. He remained with his father in the yards
until he was of age,having completed his education in the mean time.
In 1894 Mr. Richey came to Louisville andin company with his
brother-in-law , Mr. F. Dickson, established a lumber yard at this
place,the buiness[sic] being a profitable venture from the first. The
firm of Richey & Dicksoncontinued to do business until April 1, 1902,
when Mr. Richey purchased Mr. Dickson'sinterest from which time he
has owned and operated in his own name. He also handles coaland
grain.

He has been successful owing to his strict attention to business
and is a man who is at all timesenterprising. With Mr. Parmele he
established the Louisville Mills, a worthy enterprise and onefor
which the town owes Mr. Richey much credit. His interests were later
sold to Tapper &Son, the present managers.

Mr. Richey was married on February 19, 1896 to Miss May Dutton of
Plattsmouth,Nebraska, and have a neat cottage home in the southwest
part of town. Two daughters havebeen born to them.

HISTORIANS, and especially those of the earlier periods,
designated the different epochs asthe Stone age, the Iron age and the
Brass age; these names doubtless indicating either the useor
discovery of the different articles by which their periods or epochs
are named. The futurehistorians, after reading the achievements of
the 19th century, and especially of the last threedecades, might
fitly call it the Fraternal age. For prior to the middle of the 19th
century thenames of the fraternal orders could be counted on the
fingers of one hand, and in fact therewere but two with sufficient
prominence to be generally known: namely the Masonic, whoseexistence
is almost as aged as time itself, and Odd Fellowship, whose years are
now nearingthe century mark in this country.

During the closing years of the Civil war, while the country was
still in dreadful doubt andsuspense as to the issue of that terrible
struggle, the Knights of Pythias was brought intoexistence and so
intense was the feeling engendered by that struggle that one of the
conditionsof membership was, that the applicant must have been a
member of the Union army.

Up to this time little thought had
been given to beneficiary orders,and to John Upchurch largely belongs
the credit of giving to the world in the A.O.U.W., asystem of life
insurance within the reach of those not able to avail themselves of
the protectionby old line companies; the benefits of which eternity
alone can tell. This and kindred otherorders are the attempt of
mankind to solve the question, "Who is my Neighbor?" Followingclosely
upon the organization of the Workmen came that of the Modern Woodmen
ofAmerica at Lyons, Iowa in May, 1883, by Joseph C. Root and others,
and like most ordersits work was confined to narrow limits. In a few
years however the society was charteredunder the laws of the state of
Illinois, with the head office at Fulton, that state, and
beingconfined by its charter to seven Northwestern states its growth
was comparatively slow. Butnotwithstanding this fact at the close of
1890 its members had increased to 40,000. At themeeting of the Head
Camp at Springfield, Ill., new head officers were elected and
importantlegislation enacted which gave the society an impetus that
astonished the Fraternal world, andas its merits have become known
applications have been made at every meeting of the HeadCamp by
adjoining states for admission into its jurisdiction until now its
territory extends fromocean to ocean and from our northern boundary
to the Ohio and including the more northerlySouthern states and its
membership to 700,000. This territory has been selected with
theutmost care as regards healthfulness and especially freedom from
epidemics, and by its bylawsexcludes all hazardous occupations thus
making its death rate the lowest of any beneficiaryorder. Its
assessments are graded according to age and are so low that a man
must be poorindeed who cannot afford protection to his family in this
order.

River View No. 1071 was organized
July 13, 1889 with the following officers and members:J.M. Jackman,
V.C.; W.B. Shryock, W.A.; H.E. Pankonin, E.B.; P.C. Stander, Clk.;
G.A.Stewart, E.; G.W. Mayfield, W. I.W. Neely, S.; J.A. Hasemeier,
P.; C.L. Mullins, J.L.Hartshorn, L.C. Eickhoff, managers; J.O.
McClain, A. Jenkins, G.H. Tackenberg, L.P. Sine.Since the
organization of the Camp death has claimed but three of its members.
NeighborsW.B. Shryock, dying July 1, 1891; J.O. McClain August, 1897
and Michael Borcherts,September 1898. The beneficiaries of the first
two received $3,000 each and latter, $2,000,thus most forcibly
exemplifying the benefits derived from fraternal protection and the
love andwisdom of those who thus provide for their loved
ones.

LOUISVILLE MILLING COMPANY

A VALUABLE acquisition to our little city and one which should
receive the hearty supportof all our people, is the business operated
by the Louisville Milling Company. When we are inneed of meal or
flour we should not be guilty of purchasing other than the product of
our ownhome industry. This plant was erected in the winter of 1897 by
T.E. Parmele and C.A.Richey. at a cost of from $10,000 to $12,000,
being equipped with the most modernmachinery that money could buy,
and with a capacity of fifty barrels a day. The starting of thewheels
of this concern took place on February 1, 1898 and since that time it
has beenconstantly comminuting grain for its customers who are from
all parts of the state. On July 1,1902 the plant was purchased by
C.D. Tapper & Son, who have added $1000 in repairs andimprovements.
The present management have built up a good trade and gained a
reputation asmillers second to none in the state.

Messrs. Tapper and Tapper are well known to our people, having
been prosperousfarmers in Cass county for years, and what is put out
by them can be relied upon as first class.Mr. John Oleson is their
head miller while Mr. Sam Sorber acts in the capacity of
engineer.

JOHN L. BURNS

MR. BURNS, as a great many of America's public spirited, enterprising
citizens today wasborn in Germany. He first beheld the light of day
on September 29, 1855 and remained inGermany until 1870, in that year
emigrating to America, landing in New York. Being a youngman of push
and energy he soon began to learn the machinists trade and for eight
years heremained in that city in that capacity. Being able to secure
employment now anywhere, hedecided to see more of the States, so in
'78 he started west and arrived at Plattsmouth. Herehe entered the
employ of the B. & M. Ry. company, serving as brakeman four years and
inthe shops at that place for three. After leaving their employ in
1889 he came to Louisvillewhere he secured a position as bartender,
remaining thus engaged for one year when hepurchased the saloon stock
and began to do business for himself, carrying on that
businesssuccessfully for three years.

He then decided to try farming. Disposing of his business here he
removed to the countryin 1893 and tilled Cass county's fertile soil
for a period of five years. Desiring to give hischildren better
educational advantages Mr. Burns returned to Louisville in 1899 and
openedup a grocery store and restaurant, and at this time, 1902, he
is the owner of a first-class stockand has built up a good trade. In
connection with his stock, Mrs. Burns carries a nice line ofmillinery
goods, an assortment hard to excel in much larger towns.

Mr. Burns was married on May 10, 1880 to Miss Annie Krecklow, of
this county, at theGerman Lutheran church southwest of Louisville.
They are the parents of four children, threegirls and a boy.

WILLIAM DELESDERNIER

ELMWOOD may well feel proud of being the possessor of a citizen such
as Wm.DelesDernier is. Mr. DelesDernier was born December 3, 1856, at
Memphis Tennessee. Assoon as he become[sic] of school age he was sent
to New Albany, Indiana, where heattended the public schools. At the
age of ten his parents moved to Nebraska City where theylived for two
years. At the end of this time his parents again moved, this time
going toNehawka and resided there for the same length of time. Mr.
DelesDernier's parents finallyconcluded to make one more move and
establish for themselves a home. This theyimmediately did, removing
to three and one-half miles south-east of Elmwood where theytook up a
homestead. Here, over thirty years ago, they began to till the soil
of an unimprovedfarm, but as years rolled by vast changes were made,
until it was brought up to the standard ofall Nebraska farms. Today
it is one of the finest in the county and Mr. DelesDernier is still
theowner of his father's homestead.

Mr. DelesDernier has practiced law for twenty years, and up to
1893 made hisheadquarters at the farm. Nine years ago his practice
became so wide that he found itimpossible to attend to his legal
business with his office located there so he moved his family
toElmwood where he has since resided . He has a good practice in the
supreme and lowercourts, having the largest practice in the county in
state and probate matters, and makes aspecialty of settling up
estates. Mr. and Mrs. DelesDernier are the parents of four boys
andthree girls.

WILLIAM J. O'BRIEN

THE gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch was born
in Detroit, Michiganin the year 1866, where he received an education
as taught in the common schools of thatstate. After leaving school
Mr. O'Brien began fish cultural work in the Dominion FishHatcheries
at Sandwich, Ont., this being in 1880. His ability in this line of
work was soonnoted by the commissioners in the States and in 1883 he
was induced to accept a position with the Michigan Fish Commission
where he remained until 1886. In that year he wasappointed assistant
superintendent of the Nebraska State Fish Hatcheries, holding this
positionuntil 1896. In this year he was promoted to superintendent,
and served in that capacity forthree years. In 1899 Mr. O'Brien went
to Dunbar, Wisconsin, where he was employed withthe Lake Club
Hatcheries of that place, but one year later resigned his position
there, beingre-appointed superintendent of the Nebraska Hatcheries by
Governor Savage July 1st 1901.Mr. O'Brien was married in 1896 to Mrs.
Ada Bunker, of South Bend, Nebraska, and atpresent make their home at
the Hatcheries, where they have a fine residence. For a day'souting
there is no place in the state where one can go and feel themselves
more at home thanto the Nebraska Fish Hatcheries, for under its
present management you are treated mostcourteously, as has always
been a chief characteristic of Mr. O'Brien and his wife.